Forensics is not a sport, but this seems to be the only forum for homeschool extracurricular activities, so I will post this here.

The NCFCA (National Christian Forensics and Communications Association) is a forensics league for homeschooled students. There are at the moment several thousand competitors across the nation who compete in qualifying tournaments throughout the year and advance to a national tournament held each year in a different place in the country.

There are many, many benefits to doing speech and debate. If your child enjoys logic, public speaking, drama, or wants to go into law or politics, I would highly encourage you to look into speech and debate. You can visit the NCFCA's website here:

That's the other definition of forensics. The forensics that I'm referring to is speech and debate...

fo·ren·sics ( P ) Pronunciation Key (f-rnsks, -zks)
n. (used with a sing. verb)
1. The art or study of formal debate; argumentation.
2. The use of science and technology to investigate and establish facts in criminal or civil courts of law.

In public high school, some years ago, I was in Forensics. It was a great experience for me. I didn't participate in many atcivities. This was some what choice.

Drama (alone)
Drama (duet)
Drama (group)
Newscasting (just like it sounds, but no chance to practice on the topics)
Debating
and many others.

I was in a group for drama. In the drama you cannot make physical contact as well as eye contact with your partner(s). To watch a "show" is almost humorous because of this. There are only chairs/stools to use as props. Imagine playing out your favorite scene from your favorite film and not being able to look at your partner at all and no props.

At one time I was the only member of the team that was able to make it to the tourney you could only miss one. I had already missed and if I hadn't gone I would have been dropped.

But no team...

I did the Newscasting. Whoa, that was fun. You are given a number of topics and/or articles to create a newscast that must last a specified amount of time. You may have use of some note cards, but you are limited to how much you can use it.

In forensics you are not "graded" but critiqued. Told you "good points" and let known what you need to work on. That was great.